Public Officers And Indiscipline

The conduct of public
servants,  especially  directors  and other principal  officers in the discharge of their duties, coupled with increasing  rate of corruption in the civil service have indeed, become worrisome. There is no gainsaying the fact that most principal officers of the system seem to have turned the machinery of state into  private business for personal  aggrandisement.
They  do not think of bequeathing  a legacy  for  future generations and the state. Principal  offices in  federal, State and local government establishments display high  level of indiscipline and lack of transparency, accountability and efficiency with impunity,  greed, selfishness and  avarice,  having no regard for their  principals, and intimidate their subordinates without recourse.
The chairman of Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, Chief  Nnamdi Wokekoro in attesting to the flagrant display of indiscipline by principal  officers, and Directors in the Local Government Service,  warned that the commission would  no  longer tolerate  acts of indiscipline and absenteeism, amongst them.
Wokekoro, who gave the warning  during  a maiden meeting  with Directors in  the 23 local government councils of Rivers State, said any principal  officer who failed to attend meetings of the commission would be dropped  and advised them to do the right things to move the local government and the commission forward. He enjoined the principal officers to do  what is right at all times and avoid  any action that would mislead their chairman.
Public servant as engine room of government are expected to manifest  a very high  level of discipline  at all time  as corruption, incompetence  and failure of governance  have become products of  indiscipline within the public service. Principal  officers and directors are supposed to adhere  strictly to the rules and regulations of civil service in order to show example to their subordinates in the interest of the society.
This is  because effective leadership involves discipline  and exemplary character, hard work, transparency and integrity.
Principal officers  and directors, should be familiar with government regulations and  rules, regarding good conduct while obeying lawful and simple instructions from their heads or established authorities. Every public officer, whether elected, appointed or must imbibe the practice of obeying rules of pubic service and conduct themselves  in a  manner that would portray  them as good  citizens  and exercise restraint when dealing with public funds. This however, requires self-discipline.
Behaviour that demonstrate discipline among principal  officers and directors include to participate in discussions and meetings consideration of the  accomplishments of others, building  relationships through interactions sharing of information,  encouraging  people to express their  ideas encouraging  people to use and expand their skills and abilities, among others.
It is morally and legally wrong for a principal official in public service to execute  any government business or project without due process because public funds are involved . misuse, misappropriation or stealing public funds meant for the benefit of the people on whose behalf  a public officer is holding office, is wrong, so  as, a good citizen and  a good public servant, these traits must be avoided and discouraged. Public officials should always justify every expenditure and discourage wasteful spending of public funds.
It is against this backdrop that the Rivers State Commissioner for Local Government  Affairs, Mr. Samuel Eyiba, called for  strict adherence to due process in the handling of government’s business. Eyiba, who made the call  when he visited  the headquarters of Ahoada-East Local Government area at Ahoada, noted that since government is the  nucleus  of every society, it is pertinent to handle all its  affairs with utmost care.
The reckless attitude of handling government’s projects without due process  has wrecked most programmes and government’s  treasury  which  prompted the  establishment of the state’s due process Bureau and the code of Conduct Bureau  and Tribunal Act for public and civil servants. The aims and objectives of the Bureau is to establish and maintain a high standard of morality in  the conduct of government business and to ensure that actions and  behaviour of public  officers  conform to the highest standard of public morality and accountability. But whether  the bureau is actually performing its functions in the face of the growing corrupt practices among  public officials  or servants of the state is a different   ball game.
Financial records should be kept straight in order to discourage laxity and check corruption among workers. If those working in the  public service want to have it right, they must be prudent, sincere  and honest in the execution  of their jobs. They   must  understand that government’s  business is not a personal  estate  and that transparency and accountability  are  key ingredients of best practices which will  enhance service delivery in the  public service.
Transparency is essential for decision-making and transparent decisions are more effective because they permit evaluation, strengthen  institutional credibility and legitimacy.  Accountability  is the obligation of power-holders to account for their actions or take  responsibilities,  so public servants must be free from  those  vices that are destructive to the public service.
Public servant should  bear in mind that the service they directly or indirectly render without compensation or kick-back later comes back to them “as  bread cast upon the water”.

Shedie Okpara